Srimad Bhagavatam 11.28.15 - Though the spirit soul remains aloof from material emotions such as fear and lamentation, still they should be dovetailed in devotional service and not rejected artificially.

Hare Krsna dear devotees, I hope yoru chanting is going well and the power of the holy names has changed you making your heart soft and loving to receive the Lord.
I found a very nice experience by H.H. Sacinandana Swami, here you will see his experiences and realisations with the holy names.

Day 3
I am sitting before the bhajana kutira of Tinkari Baba, a saint who chanted here 192 rounds of the maha-mantra every day, fifty years ago. My tree is the same tree, and it seems to have "recorded" the transcendental sound vibration of this siddha purusa (perfected being). I feel empowered in my chanting, and I have a vision of Vrindavan and a memory of his lilas. By the blessings of asadhu, even a blind man can see the stars in the night sky. I am surely a black ant, on a black stone in the moonless night, but Srila Prabhupada found me, and with a ray of His mercy He revived me and allowed me to walk the brilliant path of Krishna consciousness.
What else will happen to this fortunate ant?

Contemplations of a Hermit - Personal Retreat in India - Kartik 2009

We all were found by a devotee and a spiritual master accepted our service, by their mercy we are blessed in this chanting and all the good benedictions come to us.

Even though a woman be made of wood or stone, she becomes attractive when decorated. One becomes sexually agitated even by touching the form. Therefore one should not trust his mind, which is so fickle that it can give way to enemies at any moment. The mind is always accompanied by six enemies -- namely, kama, krodha, mada, moha, matsarya and bhaya -- that is, lust, anger, intoxication, illusion, envy and fear. Although the mind may be merged in spiritual consciousness, one should always be very careful in dealing with it, just as one is careful in dealing with a snake. One should never think that his mind is trained and that he can do whatever he likes. One interested in spiritual life should always engage his mind in the service of the Lord so that the enemies of the mind, who always accompany the mind, will be subdued. If the mind is not engaged in Krsna consciousness at every moment, there is a chance that it will give way to its enemies. In this way we become victims of the mind.

Excerpts from Sri Harinama Cintamani (spoken by Haridasa Thakura to Lord Caitanya and written by Bhaktivinoda Thakura):

“To criticize the Vedic teachings is offensive:

“Sruti substantiates the nine ascertainable teachings and the guru, who is well-versed in the scriptures, is able to reveal these truths. Anyone who criticizes the srutis commits a heinous crime. He’s a sinner and offender to the holy name.

“Jaimini, Kapila, Nagna, Nastika Sugata and Gautama are six philosophers who were stuck with the fangs of mundane logic and reasoning. They simply did some lip service to the teachings of the Vedas, but they did not accept God. Jaimini propagated that the best knowledge the Vedas has to offer is the fruitive ritualistic portion known as karma-kanda. Kapila dared to state that God was imperfect; he accepted the process of yoga, but without understanding its deeper implications. Nagna spread poison by teaching the practice of tantra that is in the mode of ignorance. Carvaka Nastika was an atheist who never accepted the authority of the Vedas, and Sugata, the Buddhist, imposed a different meaning upon them. Gautama propagated logic and did not worship the Supreme Lord.
“These mischievous interpretations are in fact offenses against the Vedas. Through sophism, such philosophers speak half-truths that are likely to confuse the ordinary listener, though an experienced Vedantist can easily detect their roots. Avoid dabbling in such concepts because they are detrimental to spiritual growth. The Mayavadi philosophy is equally dangerous, for it suppresses the natural devotional mood. Mayavadi philosophy is factually camouflaged Buddhism. In Kali-yuga,the propagation of this philosophy, which is a perversion of the Vedic truth, has been authorized by the Supreme Lord. On the Lord’s behest, Lord Siva became its propagator. As Jaimini seemingly upheld Vedic authority but practically propounded a warped version of the Vedic conclusions, similarly Mayavadi gurus give proof to establish their covert Buddhism; thus they obscure the essence of the Vedas, which is the science of devotional service. Astavakra, Dattatreya, Govinda, Gautapada, Sankaracarya and and although Sankaracarya’s materialist philosopher followers are known as Mayavadi gurus. In Buddhism the principle teaching is the non-existence of the soul. Buddhism does not accept the concept of Brahman. The theory of nothingness, the last word in Buddhism, is rendered by the Mayavadis into the concept of the formless impersonal Brahman, which is perceived by them in order not to be material. But these are concepts that are diametrically opposed to the eternal science of devotional service. Any affiliation with such thoughts automatically makes the jiva commit nama-aparadha. Some accept the Mayavadi philosophy but chant the holy name, but this is an offense against the Name.”

I woke up to the alarm clock at 3:00 A.M. and started my chanting in a wide-awake situation. I did not dabble in any of these false conclusions of the Vedas based on bogus philosophies. I stick to the simple method taught by Lord Caitanya and passed on by Srila Prabhupada. The name of Krishna is not different than Krishna Himself. Sometimes the Lord deliberately taught false philosophies, but in any case they are not to be followed perpetually. Only devotional service is the means by which to chant the holy name and benefit from its eternal proposition.

There are many false philosophies
that do not teach devotional service
as the ultimate aim of life. Some
of these teachers include forms of
chanting in their practice. But to chant
the name of God but not believing in
Him or taking an impersonal
view commits an offense. One may
say, “What is the harm?
This is chanting the holy name.”
But milk touched by the lips of a
serpent causes poisonous effects and
should strictly be avoided.
Only those faithful to the
substance of harinama
can chant and derive benefit.
The others are forms
of nama-aparadha.

“‘For any activity done in devotional life, one should always pray to the previous acaryas, “Kindly help me.”’ The Vaisnava is always thinking himself helpless and begging help from the previous acaryas. In the Caitanya-caritamrta, you will find the author at the end of every chapter:

Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and
Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy,
I, Krishnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta following in their footsteps.

“‘In every line he’s thinking of Rupa-Raghunatha, the previous acaryas. So let me surrender to the Gosvamis, and they will help me to write. You cannot write! That is not possible. So this is Vaisnava policy.’” (from a lecture by Srila Prabhupada in London, July 17, 1973, on Bhagavad-gita)

It was a simple and sweet festival at the temple on Thursday, December 16th as spiritualists gathered to honour the advent of the Bhagavad-gita. Over five thousand years ago, Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna, discussing the fundamental principles of life.

The Gita lucidly explains the nature of consciousness, the self and the universe. It contains both the essence of India's spiritual wisdom and the answers to questions that have been posed by philosophers for centuries.

An intimate setting was created and over a three hour span, the Sanksrit verses of the Gita were collectively read by the assembled group. Sometimes, the simplest festivals can be the sweetest!

Regretfully, due to bad weather conditions, we shall have to cancel tomorrow's kirtan. Some of our kirtaniyas are stranded in snow-bound villages, and Chakrini, who was to come from London, would be safer staying there in such treacherous weather.

So please keep warm and well and we can meet again when the weather is more clement!

We are in Bhaktivedanta ashrama, all silent and intent to celebrate the exceptional departure of Srila Prabhupada from this world, eternal source of spiritual inspiration.

Srila Gurudeva offers a heartful and deep reflection:

At the moment of our departure, we draw up all life’s experiences and understanding matured. We all must meet the moment of truth. Under these circumstances masks fall off and it appears a new unexpected reality. If life is surprise, you can imagine what the death will be. People think naively that it is possible to plan everything, being certain that the future is predictable regarding the present; actually, it isn’t so. It’s necessary to be prepared to meet every experience in life, all the more the moment of death.

Thousands of people pass away and each act of departing is unique; the being gets separated from its physical embodiment in a peculiar way and begins his journey somewhere else hard to predict. Therefore, it’s immensely important and of incalculable utility and convenience to learn from those who prepared themselves for that passage. What could we learn from others who avoided to talk about Death in their Lives, consequently not prepared for that crucial passage? We can only learn from the ones who prepared themselves for this experience in full consciousness and Devotion to God.

We can realize a treasure of Wisdom and Love, learning from Shrila Prabhupada, a pure devotee of the Lord, from the way he left this world, his level of consciousness and sentiments involved to prepare his Journey.

We read from Shrila Prabhupada Lilamrita, chapter entitled “The Final Lesson”: “Love wins over Death. The Eternal Love and Devotional Service can’t be taken away by Death”. This is the great lesson taught by Shrila Prabhupada.

“Shrila Prabhupada’s most precious and brilliant gem at his departure was his attitude of complete humbleness and his intensive affection for his disciples and all creatures.

On 14th November 1977 at 7.30 P.M., in his room at Krishna Balarama Mandir in Virndavana, Shrila Prabhupada left this world and returned to the Lord, giving us the most precious teaching. He taught how to live, he taught how to die. He taught that Life is pure Love for God and every living being.

Shrila Prabhupada taught through his books, his works, his life and through his death in the end.

The Spritual Master lives forever with his disciple, until the latter follows his teachings with fidelity and pureness.

The greatest gift is devotional service in separation, the highest ecstatic realization.

After reading, we chant “Je anilo prema dhana” and meditate on the Greatness of Shrila Prabhupada and of those who serve him in pureness and diffuse all Glories, Love and Mercy of the Lord.

Just in time for the holidays, this post features my Delaware-based friend Lynn Eva Barber’s beautiful gluten free chocolate chip cookies.

“They have a nice chewy, ungrainy texture unlike most g/f baked goods. I have lots of people in my life who don’t eat wheat, and since most g/f desserts are full of eggs, this works out great for family gatherings, etc.” —So sayeth Lynn.

For more creative cooking ideas, as well as a full range of assorted cuteness, check out Lynn’s newest creations and finds at Scissors & Spice.

plated....

...& gifted

The original recipe is by Barbara Arnold. Here is the recipe with Lynn’s tweaks. It is an easy recipe to veganize, just remember to check those chocolate chips for any dairy content!

Our next live broadcast with Vaisesika das will be on Sunday, December 18th at 7:30am EST for morning class. Please tune in at that time and enjoy an amazing class by our special guest!

Sunday's class will be entitled, "Propelling Through - Flushing the Internal Systems (Overcoming Obstacles)". We will have a chat window for all online viewers to ask questions during the class. Hare Krishna!

Narada Muni brings images of a divine sage carrying his Tampura and in bhakti chanting Hari, Hari, Hari and Narayana, Narayana, Narayana. For Vaishnavas this imagery also carries with it very important weight since in the Guru parampara, Narada Muni is directly linked in the Gaudiya Sampradaya tradition since he is the son of Brahma. In the Bhagavad Gita As-it-is in validation of the importance of this disciplic succession it states, "This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way." (4.2)

As practitioners of bhakti-yoga his example and teachings are very important and he lays these teachings out in the Narada Bhakti Sutra which he authored. Of course his teachings and examples have numerous mentions in vedic texts such as the Bhagavata Purana and by our Guru, Srila Prabhupada. As practioners of Deity worship to the personable form of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we follow the teachings of Narada Muni daily through the Pāñcarātra text which outlines the process of deity worship as is being carried out by the Hare Krishna movement.

Narada Muni is the manifestation of spirtual enlightenment and we are enlightened and fortunate to be part of this greatest Parampra that links us with the divine sage, Narada Muni.
This link for us is thanks to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhativedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and thus I will turn to his word from the purport of the Bhagavad Gita (10.26).

Of all trees I am the banyan tree, and of the sages among the demigods I am Narada. Of the Gandharvas I am Citraratha, and among perfected beings I am the sage Kapila The banyan tree (asvattha) is one of the highest and most beautiful trees, and people in India often worship it as one of their daily morning rituals. Amongst the demigods they also worship Narada, who is considered the greatest devotee in the universe. Thus he is the representation of Krishna as a devotee. The Gandharva planet is filled with entities who sing beautifully, and among them the best singer is Citraratha. Amongst the perfect living entities, Kapila, the son of Devahuti, is a representative of Krishna. He is considered an incarnation of Krishna, and His philosophy is mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Later on another Kapila became famous, but his philosophy was atheistic. Thus there is a gulf of difference between them.

[Editor's note: Subhavilasa das gave this to me last week for posting yesterday which marked the appeance, however I am a bit tardy in transcribing his notes and references ~ Indresh]

Ganga Sagar Mela is a grand festival observed by followers of Sanatana dharma with millions assembling to take a holy bath on Makara Sankranti day. ISKCON Mayapur welcomes everyone to the camp set up during this festival, where more than one and half lakh pilgrims being served prasada and shelter amidst overwhelming kirtan.We request your participation in the international camp from 12th to 16th January and share the wonderful experience of serving the pilgrims at holy Ganga Sagar.

Some may have seen a similar article in the Toronto Star a couple of months ago but this is the article that JUST appeared in the Winnepeg Free Press with our very own Bhaktimarga Swami. You can read the rest of the article at the link provided below.
This is a form of sankirtan as well since thousands of people in Winnepeg have read and taken Krishna's name as they read the article in their local newspaper...
Hare Krishna!

H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami with bust of Srila Prabhupada as it appeared in artcle.

Whatever happened to the Hare Krishna movement?Back in the 1970s, robed members of the sect were frequently seen on street corners, chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, with their hair shorn.

These days, you are more likely to see robed Anglican bishops occupying a street corner in the financial district and passing out literature.

Krishna devotees haven't gone into hiding, but they have toned down the missionary zeal from those crazy days of counterculture movements.

As one senior devotee says, "We are now more interested in quality than quantity."

Formed by his Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1965, the Hare Krishnas of the time were full of brashness and ideals.

Two great armies assemble at the scene of Kurukseta, flying banners, drawn up opposite one another on the field, poised for battle. Arjuna and his charioteer Krishna are carrying their conversation between the two armies reflecting the indecision of Arjuna about the question; should he fight against and kill his friends, kinsmen and teacher?

Initially it was going slow, so I prayed to Srila Prabhupada and soon people were actually stopping and listening. Our opening remarks were in reference to this being the month that Krishna spoke the Gita 5000 years ago.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of Marutvati Devi Dasi, a lovely disciple of Srila Prabhupada. She left this world on the morning of 15th December at her home in Soest, Netherlands. Her departure follows a long brave battle with cancer

Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Shaunaka Rishi Dasa, also an ISKCON devotee, has recently been appointed Hindu Chaplain to Oxford University, the first to take on such a role in the history of the famous 900-year-old school.

Gunacuda dasi: The students of Sri Mayapur International School held their Annual Sports Day on December 16th. The event was well attended by parents, community members and special guests, H. H Jayapataka Maharaja, H. H Bhakti Purushottam Maharaj, H. G Jananivas prabhu , H. G Atmananda prabhu and former SMIS Principal H. G Lalita mataji

Danda-krt dasa: We are looking for a qualified chef (not cook) for our restaurant in Swansea, UK. We have a temple run restaurant which has been operating for 10 years in Swansea and are looking to increase the menu options so are looking for an extra chef

Sankarsana das: Paul Ignozza (recently initiated as Prahlad Nrsimha das by Hanumat Presaka Swami) passed away from this world at the age of 61 on December 11 shortly after 1 pm in a hospice in Port Charlotte, Florida

“I jumped straight from temple life into running a business, and found that I was so busy I couldn’t go to the temple every day. But here I am, sitting in my office, surrounded by hundreds of murtis, so my eyes are on Krishna all day."

When we first meet people or visit places, especially for a long term stay, the first few days can be a bit rocky, sketchy, uncertain. But as far as I have experienced in my travels, its a hard thing leaving once you've spent time with people.
Newfoundland is perhaps the most amazing place I've visited in a very long time. The Island is far enough removed from the "big city" atmosphere, and therefore the people are still "people." They walk right up to you, make friends, invite you in for tea, drive you if you need to go somewhere, and share everything with you. At least this was my experience. I went to visit one friend, and ended leaving many. As I associated with the open-mindedness of the residents of St. John's, I was relieved to know that somewhere in the western world there was still a place that reminded me of home. As a child I would watch my mother and other neighbors exchange gifts in the form of food, clothing, and other things; and so I thought the whole world did the same. It was not until I came to the place I now live (no name required, to be politically correct), that I first learned about racism, religious differences, etc.
Well the people of Newfoundland do not fit into this category. No. I was at home; making dinners for people I had just met, sending bowl fulls to the next door neighbors, etc. One neighbor, a retired High School teacher and his wife, a high school teacher were just so endearing. Neil (the husband) drove me around the city showing me places he frequented as a young man growing up in St. John's, the school his mother went to, the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, the Battery-a series of houses built on the side of a hill, Signal hill, and other nice places in St. Johns. Kathy had me speak to her class on Sacred writings in the Vedic culture, being a monk, and understanding divinity from different angles. The students were open to hearing, and also asked very intelligent questions.
One student who stole my heart was this young boy who, after I spoke, darted out behind us. When Kathy asked where he was going, he mentioned the bathroom. Neil and I left shortly after. That evening Kathy told me: "Kesava, you wouldn't believe what happened. Remember when I asked that boy where he was going? He went to his locker, but when he returned you had left. He came back with a handful of coins from his locker-- "where did he go?" He asked. They left, I said, and he became very sad. "I brought a donation for the monk." Well, he's not here, so put your donation in the box for the water fund drive. "No, I brought it for the monk, and I'll keep it until I see the monk again. I'm not giving another cent to that fun drive" "

Very touching. But this is Newfoundland. The people have a lot to teach, or reteach us about human relations.
On my flight back, I meditated on the prayers we say to our Spiritual Master everyday: Obeisances to you,who on Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati's order, are kindly teaching the message of Lord Caitanya to the western world, where the people are enamored with impersonalism and voidism. In other words, without personal relationship, we become lonely, and empty (impersonal and void).
Personal relationship can be cultivated when we give directly to one another instead of saying: " there's food on the table if anyone wants," or " yeah I got this, I don't need help." Personal relationships happen when we give up our fears that other living beings can harm us. No one can harm us. We are spiritual beings. I guess this will be the topic for my next blog...

One last thing. The Newfoundland adventure happened only due to the desire of one person, my friend Rikin, who lives there. So if one person can be used as a vessel to give Krsna, Imagine what we can all do if we decide to put sometime into giving Krsna to others. Put some time into being used as instruments for Krsna. Put our shopping list down for a second- " God, I want this, that and this, but how can I please you first?"
Rikin's endeavors ki Jay!

Books are the basis.
The sastras teach
us about the holy names.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s
Sri Siksastakam
and many learned sages have given
us evidence of the absolute
nature of the names. Srimad
Bhagavatam has many chapters
to prove the truth
of the names of Krishna
as not different from
His form. Anyone who
doubts and commits
the namabhasa of Vedic truth
is doomed to
a fallen path and a
next life less than
a human. If we
chant sincerely based
on the sastras, our
path is auspicious
despite our other sins.